Inside Unmanned Systems

APR-MAY 2018

Inside Unmanned Systems provides actionable business intelligence to decision-makers and influencers operating within the global UAS community. Features include analysis of key technologies, policy/regulatory developments and new product design.

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45 April/May 2018 unmanned systems
inside
ENGINEERING. PRACTICE. POLICY.
The Drone
Evolution
During a panel at SXSW 2018, experts gave their insights into the drone
market, and how to make money in this rapidly changing industry.
T
hose attending Austin's SXSW
2018 had the opportunity to
take in a variety of concerts,
walk the large tradeshow f loor and sit
in on panel discussions—including a
tech startup session where drone in-
dustry experts outlined how to make
money in the unmanned aircraft sys-
tems (UAS) market.
"Taking Advantage of the Drone
Evolution Revolution—How to Make
Money in the Drone World Now, Soon
and in the Future," was moderated by
Inside Unmanned Systems contributor
Major General (ret) James Poss, who is
the CEO of ISR Ideas. Panelists includ-
ed Uber Elevate's Director of Airspace
Systems Tom Prevot, SkySpecs CEO
Danny Ellis, and Duetto Group CEO
Shawn Bullard.
During the session, panelists looked
at various markets deploying con-
sumer drones, beginning with those
that can easily follow current Part 107
regulations and still realize the many
benef its drones provide, and then
moving on to industries that need
more f lexibility, such as the ability to
f ly beyond visual line of sight (BVLOS)
or over people, before drones can offer
real value.
FILM, PRESS AND REAL ESTATE
When looking at which markets f it
best within Part 107 rules, it basi-
cally comes down to applications that
by Renee Knight
Turn to page 8
for the General Overview from
Major General (ret) James Poss.
only require users to strap a camera
to a drone to get the information they
need—which is why movies, media
and real estate were first on the list,
Poss said.
There's also typically no need to f ly
over people not involved in the opera-
tion or to f ly BVLOS in these markets,
Prevot said, making them perfect for
current drone rules.
The movie industry was the first to
adopt UAS whole heartedly, Poss said,
and many of the beautiful aerial scenes
you see today were captured via drone.
UAS are also becoming more popular
in the media, with CNN taking a huge
step forward by receiving the f irst
waivers to f ly over people, which can
be key when covering breaking news.
Ellis and Bullard both agreed these
areas offer a lot of opportunity, but
stressed it can be challenging for drone
service providers to break in if they
don't have any industry experience.
"Successful people in any industry
were already successful and then start-
ed f lying drones to enhance their ca-
pabilities," said Ellis, whose company
focuses on wind turbine inspections.
"Just because you get a drone and
become a decent DJI Phantom pilot
doesn't mean you're going to become a
Hollywood producer tomorrow."
SAVING LIVES
This category includes first responders,
firefighters and hospitals that might be
looking for ways to integrate drones
into their operations. While Poss said
this seems like a pretty good area that
typically only requires cameras and
f lights within visual line of sight, there
certainly are challenges that come with
these life-saving applications.
For example, deploying drones to
help fight large fires can become pretty
complex, Prevot said, and BVLOS op-
erations might be necessary at times.
This application also requires a ro-
bust unmanned traffic management
(UTM) system to distribute informa-
tion and ensure everyone knows where
drones are f lying and which operations
are priority. Research is being done by
NASA and other parties to develop a
UTM system that safely integrates
drones into the national airspace no
matter the mission, and while progress
is being made, it could be awhile before
a full UTM system is in place.
Bullard recently worked with a large
health organization to implement
drones into their operations, and said it
isn't as easy to accomplish as you might
think. For example, right now medical
helicopters can f ly pretty much any-
where they want. Would drones car-
THE DRONE PART DOES NOT MATTER.
ALL THAT MATTERS IS YOU ARE
GIVING THEM DATA THAT HELPS THEM
DRIVE BETTER BUSINESS DECISIONS.
IF YOU CAN DRIVE BETTER
BUSINESS DECISIONS, PEOPLE ARE
GOING TO CARE.
Danny Ellis, CEO of SkySpecs
"